The BCCI has announced the 15-player squad for the highly anticipated ICC World Test Championship final against New Zealand, which kicks off on June 18 at The Ageas Bowl in Southampton. While 20 players were brought to England, five—KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Shardul Thakur—did not make the final selection. Virat Kohli takes the helm as captain, supported by vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane.
Thanks to their impressive displays during the tour of Australia, Mohammed Siraj and Shubman Gill have been included in the squad. Gill's exceptional form was the deciding factor for selectors, leading them to pick him over Mayank Agarwal.
KL Rahul, despite being a reliable wicket-keeper batsman, has been sidelined because the team opted for specialist keepers Rishabh Pant and Wriddhiman Saha. Pant's exceptional run of form since the Australian tour makes him the clear first choice for the role.
Even after a solid home series against England, Axar Patel didn't make the squad, as Ravindra Jadeja's dual threat with the bat and in the field earned him the spot. Washington Sundar also misses out, as India will rely on the world-class spin of Ravichandran Ashwin, who currently holds the No. 2 spot in the ICC Test rankings.
Middle-order batter Hanuma Vihari has been included, with the team hoping his experience in county cricket will prove invaluable. The biggest headache for the management will be the bowling attack; with five pacers available, they must decide whether to field three or four. In total, the squad consists of six batsmen, two wicket-keeper batsmen, two spin-bowling all-rounders, and five fast bowlers.